'India is a secular country': Bombay HC slams BMC over Dia Mirza video row; ask it to re-upload

The Bombay High Court on Tuesday stressed that India is a secular nation and expressed strong displeasure over the remarks made by politicians against actor Dia Mirza. It directed the Mumbai civic body to re-upload the deleted video featuring the actor urging people to celebrate an eco-friendly, firecracker-free Diwali.

In an awareness campaign video produced for the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), the 44-year-old actor had appealed to citizens not to burst firecrackers on public roads, referring to a High Court order.

The video was removed from the civic body's social media platforms within hours of Mumbai BJP chief Ameet Satam raising objections to it. However, other awareness videos featuring celebrities, including Madhuri Dixit and cricketer Ajinkya, remain available on the BMC's social media handles.

Mumbai Mayor Ritu Tawde alleged that the actor had "consistently taken an anti-Hindu and anti-government stance", citing this as the reason for her opposition to Mirza.

Maharashtra minister Nitesh Rane also criticised the civic body for promoting personalities like Dia Mirza.

"Dia Mirza has tweeted about Diwali, but she never tweets or offers such advice during Eid, Muharram or Bakri Eid. They only talk about an environment-friendly Holi or Diwali. They should also speak about an environment-friendly Ramzan and Bakri Eid. People like her are against the Sanatan Hindu religion. I will discuss this issue with the Chief Minister that such things are prevented in the future," he said.

A bench comprising Justices Girish Kulkarni and Neela Gokhale said it was deeply troubled by the "petty mindset" of certain individuals, particularly those elected to represent the public. The High Court termed it "most unfortunate" that a video intended to raise awareness about the environment and air and noise pollution had been given a different connotation.

"We have not seen any politician or any person who made remarks yesterday put up videos spreading awareness. We are a secular country. We are really hurt by this. The issue pertains to the environment and every person, irrespective of their religion and caste, is breathing the same air," the High Court said.

The court observed that the civic body commissioner had made the right decision in choosing celebrities to promote public awareness, adding that it was unfortunate that the matter had been diverted by raising irrelevant issues.

It also cautioned those who had objected to the video, stressing that every individual must be treated with respect, irrespective of their religion, caste or community.

"There has to be a secular spirit, and the Constitution expects citizens to foster the same. If the clip was taken off, then it would be ideal that the same should be re-uploaded," the court said.

A city like Mumbai survives on togetherness and a strong feeling of belonging to society, and this ought not be disturbed by any "loose comments", it further said.

The court said such conduct was unbecoming of people holding public office. It also observed that the civic body should not have removed Mirza's video following the controversy and directed it to upload the clip again.